EAGLE RIVER - If you were out on a lake this weekend, chances are you saw lots of gray hats. Fishermen and women spread out on seven lake families, all hoping to win the 28th National Championship Musky Open.

It's the largest amateur musky tournament in the United States and brought more than twelve hundred anglers to the Eagle River area.

There were 219 muskies caught and released over three days. The biggest fish of the weekend was a 49 incher, caught on Long Lake by Dave Stewart of Rhinelander.

And this year's winner was Michelle Peplinski of Bear Creek. She boated 4 muskies and became the first woman to win the event.

For more on this family friendly tourney, check out our Northwoods Spotlight, Wednesday night at 10.

RHINELANDER - We often bring you stories of efforts to fight aquatic invasive species in the Northwoods during the summer. It's tempting to think that invasives don't pose a problem during the winter.

But conservation workers want you to rethink that idea. Species like Eurasian watermilfoil don't simply wither underwater in the winter.

"Eurasian watermilfoil is considered a perennial. However, I consider it an evergreen. A lot of people do," said Oneida County AIS Coordinator Stephanie Boismenue. "The reason being is it's winter-hardy. It's capable to live and grow underneath the ice."

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